Yes, Caleb McDaniel knows he’s the internet’s boyfriend.
Caleb quickly rose to fame on Season 8 of “Love Island USA,” entering the villa with about 10,000 Instagram followers, and now sitting with more than 1 million just one week after leaving the show.
“I’m waiting to wake up from a dream right now. It’s just been overwhelming love,” Caleb tells Variety. “The fact that there is very little hate, and the only thing people really have to say about me is I’m boring? It’s been great.”
Entering at the end of the sixth episode, Caleb arrived as a bombshell alongside Jennifer “Jen” Terry and Sol Dean. America voted to couple Caleb up with Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, who he was intent on pursuing. His efforts dragged him into a love triangle with Annis and her former partner, Corbin Mims, which ultimately left Caleb single ahead of Casa Amor, the show’s midseason twist.
Caleb coupled up with Jaiden Bacciocco while in Casa, and the two of them returned to the villa together. When their fellow islanders were later asked to vote on the two least compatible couples, Caleb and Bacciocco were sent home, along with Gal Tshnieder and Amora Robinson on Episode 27.
While his “Love Island” journey may have come to an end, Caleb is just getting started. Season 8 became Peacock’s most-watched TV debut ever, and he’s ready to “ride the train” of its success. Caleb says he’s open to any opportunities that may come his way, which includes trying his hand at acting (“People tell me I kind of resemble Matthew McConaughey”).
The “Love Island USA” season finale airs this Sunday on Peacock. Until then, Caleb is waiting for his former contestants to join him outside the villa, and, no, the internet’s very strong opinions haven’t changed how he views his friendships.
“This is controversial, but I love Sincere,” he says. “I don’t love the way he goes about things, but whenever it’s just me and him and we can vibe and talk about anything other than his connection and what he’s doing, it’s good.”
Below, Caleb talks to Variety about his unexplored connection with Melanie Moreno, his thoughts on “Brinity” and where he and Jaiden stand now.
What was it like getting your phone back and seeing everybody’s reaction on social media?
It’s been insane. Coming off the show, I was not expecting this much. I was in my head like, “If I’ve got 50,000 followers, that’d be insane.” And then seeing what I have is absolutely out of this world. It doesn’t feel real. I’m waiting to wake up from a dream right now, but it’s just been overwhelming love. The fact that there is very little hate, and the only thing people really have to say about me is I’m boring? It’s been great.
You’re posting videos online now that show a lot of your personality that we didn’t get to see on the show. Do you think that’s because of the editing, or would you say you were more reserved in the Villa?
I would definitely say I was a little bit more reserved just because it’s a wild environment. I’m a little bit in an uncomfortable situation, but I also feel like my personality wasn’t portrayed as much as I would have wanted it to. I was very unproblematic. I didn’t have much drama, and this show is based on drama. If you’re not going to put me in there because I’m not dramatic, I’m fine with that. I’d much rather be myself and get less screen time.
We’re getting to see the full picture now.
It’s not performative. People say I’m performative. I’m like, “No, this is just me. I’m sorry you didn’t see this in there, but this is actually me.”
I’m sure you’ve seen that you’re basically the internet’s boyfriend now. Have you been seeing all of the edits?
I have. It’s insane not being able to walk 200 feet without pictures, and, honestly, I love it. Just to know this many people support me has been insane. Seeing myself on my For You page, I’m like “OK, this is probably just because it’s my phone and I’ve been liking this stuff.” But then everyone is reaching out to me saying “You’re all over the internet.” I’m just now starting to realize that it’s as big as it is.
You worked on elevators before the show. With all the attention now, do you see yourself going back to that?
Hell no. I remember sitting at work one day, and these older guys were talking about how they would go back and change so much about their life, just warning me to get out of the trade while I could. If I were to sit there and continue doing that until the day I die, then I would have been holding myself back so much. I’m so happy to be out of that. It’s a very, very risky job. I had many instances where I could have got seriously injured.
What do you have planned next?
I’m definitely going to ride the train and see where this goes. I’m probably going to get out of Charleston. Not too sure where that is yet, maybe L.A., maybe Miami, just more connections. More freedom. Charleston is bigger than Asheboro, but it’s still pretty small, so there’s not a whole lot going on here. Now I’m really up for anything. Maybe, down the road, acting. I’m trying to soak it all in and not really think too far in the future. I’m excited for anything that comes my way, and I’m very open-minded to whatever happens.
Let’s talk about acting. Would you star in a rom-com? Drama? What’s the dream?
Growing up, I always loved Matthew McConaughey, and people tell me I kind of resemble him. I love his stuff, so maybe stuff like that. I love the “Fast and Furious” franchise as well. Some action or drama would be cool.
Ben Symons/Peacock
How are you and Jaiden doing right now?
We’ve stayed in contact. We’re still texting and talking. Everything’s going good between us. We haven’t really had the time to actually talk to each other about what this is, and how we’re going to go about things. We’ve both been so busy since we’ve got back. We still need to have conversations and see where everything’s at. It’s still very early, so the long distance thing is also something that’s pretty scary. We’re going to have to cross that bridge when it comes to it.
Have you reached out to any other Islanders since being back home?
Me and Gal had came home together. America is going to hate this, but I like Gal. He’s a really cool dude. I also reached out to Gabe. He’s already ready for me to come down to Miami and hang out, so I’m looking forward to that. I did finally get to meet Sean.
How was that?
It was good. He’s a really good dude. I haven’t talked to him over the phone yet, but we texted a little bit.
Who are you most excited to see again?
Really everybody. This is controversial, but I love Sincere. I don’t love the way he goes about things, but whenever it’s just me and him and we can vibe and talk about anything other than his connection and what he’s doing, it’s good. I think he’s a good friend. Maybe not as good of a relationship guy. He did really go about things in a really wrong way, and I was the first one to tell him, “You’re really fucking up dude.” And the thing is, he would acknowledge that. But then he does it again. When I walked in there, he was the first one to welcome me in with open arms. It was hard for me to be pissed at him for the way he was moving. I was frustrated with it. I’m sure everyone was, but I do think he is a good guy. I think [him and Melanie] could work through it.
Who do you want to win? Are you team Melanie and Sincere?
I think Bryce and Trinity are really cute. They’re probably one of my favorite couples, just because of their whole journey. They have been the slowest burn I’ve ever seen. The fact that they’re so into just wanting everything to do with each other, it’s really cute.
On “Aftersun,” you said one of your regrets was not getting to explore your connection with Melanie. Is there anything else you regret?
When I said that, I was more so meaning that when I went in there, I went straight after Kenzie. I didn’t get to explore other things. Me and Melanie did have a few chats, and they were really good. It wasn’t something that I was like, “I need to talk to Melanie as well.” It was more so like walking in there, she was a girl I wanted to chat to. It fizzled out a little bit, because of the way her and Sincere were both going through so much together, and Sincere being one of my good friends in there, I was helping him through so much. I was telling him how to go about everything, so me giving him all this advice, I want to see him use that. I want to see him win. So for me to go behind his back would be kind of hypocritical.
This interview has been edited and condensed.